Title:Letter signed John N. Moulton, in the hospital at East Point, to his sister Elizabeth Jane Martin and friends, September 20, 1864

Description:

Gives an account of a near-fatal accident he had at camp when a tree fell on him. Mentions the upcoming 1864 presidential election, including his hopes that Abraham Lincoln will be reelected.

Transcription: In the hospital at East Point

September the 20th 1864.

Dear sister once more by the grace of god our father I am permited to write you a few lines. I am getting along very well. I was wounded Just after getting in camp and hence your not getting any letters from me. I was sitting writing to margaret when the Boys feel[fell] a tree on me and came very near killing me. infact they took me up for dead and it was a half hour Before I showed any signs of life but god spared my life for some cause and I now feel more than ever the need of a man being at Peace with his god. for he knows not the hour or minute he will Be called upon to entre the presence of his maker.

I hope and pray this may find you all all well and enjoying your selves the best you can. I will soon be able to go a gain and I dont think it will be long before we start a gain for the

Johnnies we have give them fitz this summer but after all they have killed a great many of our men and wounded lots more. for some reason I have been spared and may god in his infinite mercy spare me to my family is my prays yet the lords will be done. I still think we will meet again. but that is uncertain. if not on this Earth may we me meet in heaven. I hope the union men is equal to the emergency up there this fall and I hope they will elect old abe. easy if not easy elect him hard. elect him any how. I saw Joseph the other day. he came to see me he was going to start to chattanooga. the next morning he has only 12 days to serve. I saw John Haly[John Haley] a bout the 20th of last month he was well and hearty. I hope to hear from you soon and all the folks generaly. it appears that the folks is a little slack a bout writing But I recon they get tired of writing so much. yet I have to write to all which makes me write a bout five or six to this one.

I have not got a letter from Cyrena ormarion[or Marion] for a long time. I have written to them Both and I wrote for marion to send me some tobacco but he does not even write and say anothing a bout the natural need. tobacco will come at a bout ten cents a Pound by mail if it is Put up right and marked soldiers goods by the late Postal law there is several Boys gets all their to bacco from Iowa through the mail regular and it comes all right. I want some body to send me a half Pound every week and I will foot the Bill. we have to Pay from 25 to 40 cts Per. ounce here. and that is rather more than I can stand.

well I will have to close.

so nomore at present but remain your Brother in the faith

John. N Moulton

to Elizabeth Jane Martin

and friends.

Excuse this writing as I have loned my pen till it is spoiled I will get a new one soon and then look o[ut]